Eastern Conference Semifinals, 2010 NBA Playoffs Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks. Magic lead series 2-0 heading to Phillips Arena in Atlanta Saturday for Game 3. In round one Orlando swept first time playoff entry Charlotte Bobcats 4-0, while Atlanta won a seven game series 4-3 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, led by Rookie Of Year candidate Brandon Jennings. However the Bucks were a depleted team from an injury standpoint, kudos to them for playing hard and going seven games, even had an oppotunity to win the series in six games, after winning game five in Atlanta. Michael Redd former Olympian was lost earlier this season to another knee injury and weeks prior to playoffs former NBA 1st overall selection & current All NBA 3rd team Andrew Bogut was lost for the season with arm, hand and wrist injuries. Atlanta finished the regular season 53-29 4th overall seed in East, defending Eastern Conference champions Orlando Magic finished second in the conference during the regular season, while having NBA second best record behind Cleveland in both catergories at 59-23. Orlando currently may not have the best team in NBA, however they are playing the most consistant playoff basketball, while Atlanta is playing the worse basketball out of the remaining eight playoff teams especially on the road. Hawks have made the playoffs the last three springs and have played in 5 series, while managing to win only 2 road games. History shows teams can't win a championship, without being able to win on the road, Hawks aren't just losing on the road, they are getting embarassed and blown out vs. Orlando they lost Game 1 & 2 by 43 & 14 points respectively. Several question marks concern this talented team after the season, will coach Mike Woodson who is a free agent be resigned, ditto for Joe Johnson. Media and fans thought this could be the season, that Hawks took the next step, thus far it doesn't look like it, nevertheless the series isn't over, however the Hawks will have to win one game in Orlando at minimum in order to advance. While Orlando look like a determined team to get back to another ECF as well as another NBA Finals, as they look to bounce back from the 4-1 defeat to Los Angeles last season, watching Lakers celebrate on their floor after Game 5. Dwight Howard is playing well offensively in the lost post, as well as defensively in the paint through two rounds and six games, must stay out of foul trouble. While Orlando shooters space the floor and continue to take and make, three after three after three. Atlanta has too many talented players to simply go quitely into the night.
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